Will Russia cut off the gas just in time for Christmas, leaving millions of Europeans potentially freezing in their homes? No other issue than the looming gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine shows so bluntly that Europe needs to act together and become less dependent on external energy suppliers.

This is also the reason why today it is the EU and not individual member states that moderates Russian-Ukrainian gas talks in Berlin. But the idea of a ‘European Energy Union’, supported now by many governments and experts, is more than that. It goes beyond security and beyond formal coordination; it is a new mindset, it requires shaking off some old habits and working together in a new spirit to tackle all energyrelated concerns, be it climate, competitiveness or jobs. It is first about solidarity and trust in other member states.

Coordination would help avoid disruptions and improve security

Governments should put in place common planning procedures that cater for urgencies and also ensure they can collectively withstand a crisis. Secondly, it’s about real coordination. Each country is allowed to choose what energy source to exploit or not and that is normal. But an energy union implies that no government will put to its Parliament a law radically changing its energy system without first consulting its partners on

what the consequences on their systems would be and involving them right through implementation afterwards. No one should have a right to veto, of course, but such coordination would help avoid disruptions and improve security. Thirdly, it’s about joint investments. Governments should coordinate their investment programmes and conditions much more than they do now to provide investors with coherence and security.

The reason is simple: in a well-functioning energy system, a sophisticated, secure and robust continental-wide infrastructure is paramount. Fourthly, it’s about developing a true energy market. This implies that governments stop hampering the market through artificial measures that are aimed at protecting their markets or companies. And it means that they create the best conditions for investment while protecting vulnerable consumers.

Fifth, it’s about speaking with one voice. When negotiating big energy deals with neighbouring countries, we have to do it together, as we have been doing for a long time in international trade negotiations. There is no reason for energy to be different; on the contrary, it’s more important. The sad show of disunion member states are showing on the Southstream project is a case in point.

There should be a debate at European level, leading to a consensus and a mandate for the Commission to negotiate on behalf of the EU as a whole. Anything less would lead to sub-optimal results. To do all of this, there is no need to change European treaties, just some of our European laws.

Time is pressing, let’s get down to it.

Günther Oettinger is vice president of the European Commission